9 Nonprofits Participate for $25,000 Top Grant in Innovative
Student-Engagement Initiative; Grants to be Presented During America East Conference
Basketball Championship
Westport, Conn. ─ Newman's
Own Foundation today announced the nine nonprofit finalists to participate in
the third annual Newman's Own Foundation Campus Community Service
Challenge. The selected nonprofits,
nominated by and paired with a student group from each of the America East's
nine member universities, are eligible to receive the Challenge's top grant of
$25,000. In total, $80,000 will be awarded to nominated nonprofits.
"The Campus Community Service Challenge
represents an opportunity for us to encourage the practice of philanthropy,"
said Bob Forrester, president and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation. "We are proud to support the work of these
exemplary students with their community partners and to recognize their commitment
to make the world a better place."
One student group has been selected
as a finalist by each member university for its work with a nonprofit partner.
The top grants will be awarded based on:
- The level of the student
group's involvement with its nonprofit partner, and the impact of the
partnership on those served by the nonprofit, as well as on the students
themselves.
- The actual mission and programs
of the nonprofit, the populations and purposes it serves, and the impact
the Foundation's grant will have on it.
The top grant will be $25,000. The
next two grants will be for $15,000 and $10,000 respectively. Six nonprofits
will each receive a $5,000 grant from Newman's Own Foundation.
"The nine finalists are phenomenal
student groups and nonprofits that truly highlight the best of the America East
Conference," said America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen. "The conference is
bound together by athletics, but this group of nine institutions represents so
much more, and we are thrilled that Newman's Own Foundation continues to
recognize the impact these students have in their communities."
The Challenge's grant finalists are:
- University at Albany's Reclassifying
All Children Equally (R.A.C.E.), partnering with Big
Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, to enlist, train and
supervise university students as mentors to at-risk youth in the
community.
- Binghamton University's SUNY VINES
(Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments), partnering with Earth
Day Southern Tier, to develop sustainable urban gardens, serve as role
models for youth, and assist in educational programming.
- Boston University's Joining Hands,
partnering with Newton Area Corporation for the Benefit of
Special Athletes, Inc. to host events for Newton Special Athletes and to
provide cheer and support to athletes in their training and competitions.
- University of Hartford's Society of Women
Engineers, partnering with University of Hartford, to expand outreach to
area high school girls, to foster an interest in engineering.
- University of Maine's Engineers Without
Borders, partnering with University of Maine, to complete construction of
a student-designed community septic system in the village of Dulce Vivir,
in the mountainous Copán
region of Honduras.
- University of Maryland,
Baltimore County's
Relay for Life, partnering with the American Cancer Society, to increase
student participation in the Relay and to educate the UMBC community about
cancer, prevention, and intervention.
- University of New
Hampshire's
Aspiring Hands, partnering with Somersworth Youth Safe Haven, to provide at-risk youth
with homework assistance, healthy living classes, a community garden, and
educational field trips.
- Stony Brook University's Alternative
Spring Break Outreach, partnering with Community
Collaborations International,
to provide funds for a greater number of students to travel and volunteer
with nonprofit organizations around the country.
- University of Vermont's Adaptive Sports,
partnering with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, to increase
student coaching of individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilites
through the purchase and upkeep of adaptive equipment.
The
winners will be presented throughout the America East Men's and Women's
Basketball Championship held at the University of Hartford from March 1-4, 2012.
To learn more, please visit www.NewmansOwnFoundation.org/Challenge
About Newman's Own Foundation
Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To
carry on his philanthropic legacy, Newman's Own Foundation turns all net
profits and royalties from the sale of Newman's Own products into charitable
donations. To date, Paul Newman and Newman's Own Foundation have given over
$325 million to thousands of charities around the world. For more information,
visit www.newmansownfoundation.org.
About
America East (www.americaeast.com)
Since its beginning as a men's basketball
conference in 1979, America East has evolved into one of the most comprehensive
NCAA Division I conferences with 20 championship sports serving more than 3,400
student-athletes. Supporting the missions of its nine member institutions -
Albany, Binghamton, Boston University, Hartford, Maine, UMBC, New Hampshire,
Stony Brook and Vermont - America East is committed to developing champions in
academics, athletics and leadership.